Broken Belt In Tire (Problem And Solution)

Broken Belt In Tire – PROBLEM (Symptoms)

• Weird Noises
• Inconsistent Tire Shape
• Increased Levels of Vibration
• Shaky Steering

What Does a Bad Tire Belt Sound Like?

The two most common symptoms of broken tire belts are both squealing and thumping noises. Tire-thumping noises are apparent both while driving fast and while driving slowly. The thumping sounds are caused by the tire jumping a little while driving. The area in which the tire has been compromised the most is likely going to hit the surface a lot harder, and that is what causes the thump.

A slipped tire belt can sometimes be noticed if you hear squealing noises coming from your wheel well areas. These can mean many different things, but if they are accompanied by other symptoms from this list, chances are that your tire belts are done.

Why Is My Tire Inconsistent In Shape?

There are a few different types of tire inconsistencies that indicate several different problems. If the tire has more tread on one side than the other, you are likely experiencing uneven tire wear. If the tire has a large bubble on it, you are experiencing tire bubbling.

However, if the tire seems to be filled with numerous tiny bumps while also experiencing other symptoms from this article, it means your tire belts are on their last legs. Either way, if you experience any defects listed in this paragraph, be sure to ask for professional assistance immediately.

How Does A Broken Tire Belt Feel Like?

There are two different ways how one can notice issues with the tire belts while behind the wheel. The first and the most obvious one is the vibration that is translating from the tires to your steering wheel. This happens because the steel belt is designed to maintain the shape of the tire, and if it breaks, the tire becomes uneven and it thus vibrates, especially at lower speeds.

You can also notice issues with the tire belt if the steering is vague and rather shaky. Whenever a tire loses its structural integrity, it causes the car to pull to one side or the other which means that steering precision is also greatly affected. If the belts are completely broken, you might potentially lose complete steering control.

Broken Belt In Tire – PROBLEM (Causes)

• Manufacturing Defects
• Incorrect Installation
• Overinflation
• Tire Wear
• Aggressive Driving

Can A Manufacturing Defect Cause Broken Tire Belts?

Believe it or not, one of the most common causes of a broken tire belt is a manufacturing defect. More precisely, when the steel belt has not properly settled into its tire casing, it usually starts moving around which often leads to the belt snapping. Furthermore, sometimes these can be traced to improper chemical mixtures that fail to properly bond together the layers of the tire.

These typically manifest early on which means that you should contact the tire manufacturer/reseller and ask for compensation. Many tire makers offer dedicated warranties against tire manufacturing defects, but you need to act fast.

Can Incorrect Tire Installation Cause Broken Tire Belts?

Even though incorrect installation could result in the tire belt snapping, these are not all that common. If you mount the tire at a wrong angle, it can cause uneven wear. Uneven wear means that one side of the tire is tasked with distributing the entire weight of the car which can cause structural damage in the long run.

Can Overinflation Cause Broken Tire Belts?

There is an obvious correlation between the rigidity of the tire and the inflation of the tire. If you underinflate a tire, you are essentially making it softer which increases shock absorption. On the other hand, if you overinflate it, you are making it more rigid which decreases the shock absorption.

As such, a tire that is too rigid is unable to absorb sudden impacts caused by aggressive potholes which can lead to the tire belt snapping.

Can Tire Wear Cause Broken Tire Belts?

A worn-out tire is nobody’s friend, so everything is possible. When a tire reaches the end of its lifetime, it loses the ability to perform even in the most benevolent situations. Moreover, if a tire is completely bald, there is a great chance that the steel belts might come in contact with the road directly which typically leads to a complete tire blowout.

The most common occurrence whenever the belts themselves contact the road is that they tend to heat up and subsequently fail. It comes as no surprise that an old tire is useless, so be sure to always keep an eye out on the state of your tires.

Can Aggressive Driving Cause Broken Tire Belts?

Aggressive driving can cause all sorts of issues, and one of those issues is also a broken tire belt. The fact of the matter is that whenever you drive fast, you are putting a lot of pressure on your tires to withstand all the challenges that come with fast driving. For starters, the tire temperature soars which means that it tends to become softer.

Whenever you enter a corner fast, the entirety of the tire flexes and deforms itself which puts a lot of strain on your belts. If the tire is not a dedicated performance tire, you should not push it to its limits, otherwise, it is going to cause issues.

Broken Belt In Tire – SOLUTION

Ignore what anyone else says because currently there are no decisive ways how one can fix a tire with a broken belt. During the manufacturing process, the belts are embedded within the tire in a strict and precise manner which means when a tire separates, no one is able to put it back together.

Chances are that most of these defects occur due to a manufacturing defect which means that all the other causes are not as relevant. This is a good thing because most tire manufacturers/resellers do offer warranties against all sorts of manufacturing defects.

How Dangerous Is A Broken Tire Belt?

It really does not get any more dangerous than this, and you should never drive a car with exposed tire belts. A broken belt is only a time bomb just waiting to blow which means that it can damage your car and everyone around you. Furthermore, if that happens while cruising at highway speeds, it could potentially even end up catastrophically.

How Long Can A Tire Belt Last?

No one can say for certain how long a tire belt can last because a tire belt defect is not as simple as tire tread and tire cord defects are. The best you can do is inspect the tire for any signs of belt trouble.

The steel belt is not an expendable part of the tire which means that it can not be adjusted or altered in any way. When the belt snaps, it’s over, get rid of the tire and get yourself a new one.

Conclusion

A broken tire belt certainly isn’t something anyone wishes to experience. However, if that does indeed happen, be sure to focus your attention on how the car drives, on all the noises coming from the tires, and the vibrations that will inevitably follow. It’s crucial for you to always be able to recognize the early warnings that something might be wrong with the tire, otherwise you could find yourself in a bad situation.

As stated above, a defective manufacturing process is the most frequent cause of a faulty tire belt while others such as incorrect installation, overinflation, aggressive driving, and good old tire wear are not as prevalent, but are still possible.

Fixing a broken tire belt is impossible as tires are expendable assets. Just go ahead and get yourself some fresh rubber and don’t attempt to mend a tire with a broken belt.